Patrick Patterson hated missing preseason games. Sitting out the season opener was agony – at least until the Rockets rallied in the fourth quarter to beat the Pistons.

His time spent forced to watch will end tonight at Atlanta when he was cleared to start at power forward after missing most of the previous week with a strained left quad muscle. He might even get extra time with backup center/forward Greg Smith a game-time decision with a sore left foot.

“It was difficult to sit and watch preseason,” Patterson said. “Every game is difficult to sit down and watch, but my teammates handled it well, went out there and played with great energy and played well. They looked strong without me out there. I just want to come out there and keep everything rolling.”